A Heartless Omega Regrets It When I’m Dying - Chapter 29

Another long silence followed.

Wen Zhiqing’s eyes were still swimming with moisture, her eyelashes wet. She instinctively opened her arms, wanting to embrace the Alpha again.

Lin Wantang ducked away.

The movement was slight, but it caused Wen Zhiqing’s arms to freeze mid-air. Tears rolled from her eyes once more, dropping one by one onto her bright yellow coat. She looked at Lin Wantang with a gaze full of grievance, as if she didn’t understand what she had done wrong or why she was being shunned.

Lin Wantang had no idea what Wen Zhiqing felt aggrieved about. She was the one lying in the hospital bed with a terminal illness, and she was the one being repeatedly disturbed, yet the one weeping as if her heart were breaking was Wen Zhiqing.

She herself hadn’t even cried.

“You must be very busy,” Lin Wantang said, turning her head away to avoid those tear-filled black eyes. “Don’t waste any more time here.”

“It’s not wasting time.”

Wen Zhiqing lifted her eyes to look at Lin Wantang’s expression, finally discovering that the other woman didn’t seem to care about her reaction at all. The droplets clinging to her lashes gathered slowly; with a blink, another fell, hitting the yellow coat and soaking into a small dark spot.

She had never endured such a slight. This was the first time she had ever cried in front of Lin Wantang, yet Lin Wantang didn’t care in the least—not even a lash flickered.

It was as if the three years of devoted care had never happened, as if it were all her own delusion.

Sure enough, those three years were a sham.

Nothing but a play staged with Lin Wantang’s exquisite acting. Every moment that had almost made her sink into emotion was a carefully designed illusion.

Now that the play was over, only this Alpha with a face full of impatience was the truth.

“But I believe this is wasting my time,” Lin Wantang said, looking at the sunlight outside the window. “The success rate for this surgery is very small, and I really don’t want to see you again in the final moments of my life.”

This was the most hurtful thing Lin Wantang could think of after racking her brain. She had always been gentle and kind; suddenly having to say something to push someone away was actually quite difficult.

This was the Omega she had loved for so many years. Yet later, she had expressed her most blunt disgust toward this very person.

Drafting these harsh words now made her heart pound, and she still felt a trace of habitual sadness. But once the words were actually spoken, she felt no pain at all.

Wen Zhiqing stood up silently but did not leave. She stood by the bed with downcast eyes, paused for a moment, and continued: “Let’s get the transfer procedures settled first.”

It was as if she hadn’t heard a word Lin Wantang said.

“We have no legal relationship,” Lin Wantang refused her directly. “The transfer application requires my personal signature, and I will not agree to it.”

When Wen Zhiqing still refused to leave, the irritability in Lin Wantang’s heart finally broke through. She couldn’t help but continue: “And why should I listen to you? I don’t even know what will happen after transferring to the hospital you claim has the best medical resources.”

“Even if I assume for the sake of argument that you truly mean well, do I have to accept it with absolute deference? You cried so aggrievedly just now, but it wasn’t for me. It was because you felt the pity and sympathy you offered didn’t get the ‘return’ you expected, wasn’t it?”

Previously, Lin Wantang hadn’t pointed this out, wanting to leave some room for each other.

But now she found that Wen Zhiqing didn’t need that room. As long as the words weren’t spoken plainly, Wen Zhiqing would simply keep pushing forward with her own plans.

Truly communicating with Wen Zhiqing was an exceptionally difficult task.

Lin Wantang had always been someone who instinctively considered others’ feelings. For over twenty years, her instinct was to think before she spoke: Will this make the other person embarrassed? As a result, she spent most of her time suppressing her true thoughts and feelings.

But under Wen Zhiqing’s repeated pressure, those suppressed things began to surge. Those real, sharp feelings—the ones that would make both parties lose face—she didn’t want to endure them anymore.

She wasn’t going to live much longer anyway; why bother being considerate of Wen Zhiqing?

“I hate the way you’re acting, all self-moved,” Lin Wantang continued, throwing caution to the wind. “If you want to shed tears, why do it at my bedside? You never consider others’ feelings before you do something. Do you really expect others to consider yours now?”

Wen Zhiqing had never seen Lin Wantang with such sharp edges. Lin Wantang had always been gentle and tolerant, to the point that hearing such biting words made her forget to answer.

She looked at Lin Wantang. That face was still so beautiful. The features were exquisite, the curves like they were carved by a blade. But the warmth in those eyes was gone, replaced by a layer of cold indifference.

Her heart began to ache dully again, like a slow hammer. But Wen Zhiqing couldn’t look away, as if she were under a spell.

Wen Zhiqing still didn’t leave. Lin Wantang looked up and saw her. She opened her mouth, intending to say more, but Wen Zhiqing seemed to snap out of it. She took a tissue from her bag and wiped her face.

“I’ve wiped away the tears.” After wiping, Wen Zhiqing checked the mirror and pressed away the last bit of moisture at the corner of her eyes. “I’m not shedding tears at your bedside anymore.”

She recalled what Lin Wantang had just said. She was no longer as dismissive as usual; instead, she admitted: “I did indeed think that if you knew about these resources, you might be moved.”

“And I indeed wanted a return. I don’t do anything that has absolutely no intended gain.”

Wen Zhiqing answered very sincerely—so sincerely it felt like a sharp provocation. But Lin Wantang understood that this was Wen Zhiqing’s answer after serious thought.

Perhaps Wen Zhiqing truly wasn’t here to be two-faced for the sake of an acquisition like Lin Shen, nor was she scheming to eliminate her.

If she simply wanted to get rid of her quietly, there would be no need to make such a scene by coming here so many times and increasing suspicion.

She just couldn’t understand why Wen Zhiqing had never cared about her for three years—even during her most painful moments, she had only stood by and watched coldly—yet suddenly became so attentive after the divorce.

“If I had heard you say this two months ago, I probably would have been very happy.” Lin Wantang paused, recalling the terror of being alone during her check-ups, then shook her head: “But now, it really is too late.”

“Just thinking about the fact that even though we are divorced, I would have to survive on medical resources bestowed upon me by an ex-wife who constantly mocked me… I can’t stand it.”

Lin Wantang frowned: “Just the thought of it makes me feel nauseous.”

Wen Zhiqing didn’t understand. She didn’t quite grasp the difference between two months ago and now, nor did she understand why something that would have been happy two months ago would suddenly feel nauseating now.

In the very distant future, it would take her a long time to finally figure out that sentence. Because at a certain point before the divorce, Lin Wantang still held expectations for her; her love hadn’t completely died out.

But it was only when she suddenly realized this that she truly understood that everything had already become irreversible much earlier.

At this moment, Wen Zhiqing was still trying to explain: “It’s not a ‘bestowal.’ I didn’t mean it that way.”

But even to her own ears, the sentence sounded strange. She anxiously gripped the corner of Lin Wantang’s quilt, not knowing how to defend herself.

“No matter what, I won’t use it.” Lin Wantang’s last bit of patience was exhausted, her voice turning completely cold: “I don’t want to be involved with you in any way ever again. I hope you don’t come back. I don’t want to spend my time thinking about where else I need to run to.”

Wen Zhiqing abruptly let go of the quilt.

“I understand.” She slowly took a step back. “I won’t come back after this. Don’t transfer anywhere else.”

Lin Wantang saw the Omega turn around in a panic. Her pace was much faster as she left, though as she opened the door, she turned back and repeated: “I really won’t come back.”

Lin Wantang closed her eyes wearily, her lids heavy, but she didn’t dare sleep, fearing she would wake up to find Wen Zhiqing standing before her once again.

Wen Zhiqing did not return. She quickly found the hospital director and personally instructed him to keep a close watch on Lin Wantang’s ward. If Lin Wantang showed any intention of transferring, he was to inform her immediately.

After doing this, she let out a soft breath, feeling slightly more at ease.

As long as Lin Wantang remained in this hospital, she should still have a chance.

It was a pity she was divorced and had no relationship with Lin Wantang anymore; she couldn’t sign the transfer application on her behalf. Otherwise, things would certainly have been much smoother.

She had to think of a new way—ideally, a way clever enough that Lin Wantang herself would agree to it.

But until evening, Wen Zhiqing hadn’t thought of such a clever way.

Every method would require seeing Lin Wantang in person to explain the pros and cons, but Lin Wantang was currently extremely resistant to hearing her speak.

It would be so much better if I could just quietly transport her away and lock her up, she thought. Lock her up forever, until the surgery is finished.

But she remembered Lin Wantang frowning and saying she hated how self-moved she was being.

She also hated seeing her cry.

Wen Zhiqing didn’t know if the reason for this hate was the same as her own—actually, she also hated seeing Lin Wantang cry.

Every time she saw Lin Wantang shed tears, it felt as if her heart were being torn apart piece by piece, bleeding and unable to heal. Therefore, she didn’t want to see Lin Wantang’s tears; she didn’t want to see wet trails on her face.

Perhaps Lin Wantang felt the same way when she saw her cry?

This thought made Wen Zhiqing feel slightly better.

But she spent the whole night overthinking and didn’t actually come up with a practical way to get Lin Wantang to agree to the transfer.

Wen Zhiqing irritably peeled a tangerine, waiting for the crisp, slightly tart scent to fill the entire study.

This was a scent very close to Lin Wantang’s pheromones. She had tried over a dozen types of tangerines on the market before finally finding the closest one.

Finally, amid the filling tangerine fragrance, Wen Zhiqing thought of a barely workable plan.

Actually, she had vaguely thought of this method long ago, but she had never been able to force herself to accept it.

Because this method carried the risk of “making a wedding dress for another.”

She didn’t want to spend all her effort paving the road, only for someone else to walk on it in the end.

But Lin Wantang’s condition was already very dangerous. When the experts received Lin Wantang’s recent gland data again, they all suggested that the surgery must be performed as soon as possible.

She no longer had time to think of a foolproof plan.

Wen Zhiqing dialed Qi Yishu’s phone once more.

Qi Yishu answered quickly, but Wen Zhiqing paused for a long time, unable to speak.

“Is there something or not? If not, I’m hanging up.”

Qi Yishu waited for a long time, but there was only silence from Wen Zhiqing’s end. After she spoke, she heard Wen Zhiqing’s slightly rapid breathing, and then the other woman finally spoke: “I want to ask you for a favor.”

Worried the other woman would refuse, she added: “It’s about Lin Wantang.”

“But you’ve already found the junior’s whereabouts, haven’t you?”

Qi Yishu was currently working on the storyboard for the movie she was about to prepare. She stared at the visual board on the screen, comparing carefully; she had originally wanted to use warm tones, but after comparing Lin Wantang’s old photos, she felt that slightly distant cool tones were also very suitable.

Her junior was so beautiful; any color tone would be appropriate.

“I went to see her today, but she won’t agree to the transfer.”

Wen Zhiqing omitted the part where Lin Wantang said she felt nauseous accepting her medical resources, lest Qi Yishu gloat: “Perhaps it would be better if you went to explain.”

“Just say it plainly. What do you need me to do? How should I tell the junior?”

After Qi Yishu finished, she found Wen Zhiqing was silent again.

But this time, Qi Yishu didn’t wait for her to answer: “By all rights, President Wen, you’ve mobilized the best medical team and lowered your head to go find the junior. Everything should be smooth sailing. I thought that according to your plan, the junior should be weeping with gratitude and begging you to remarry her by now.”

“With things going so ‘smoothly,’ it’s truly hard to guess what you need my help with.”

She sounded like she was analyzing seriously, yet also like she was being sarcastic.

Wen Zhiqing took several deep breaths and finally said what she had prepared: “You can go and tell Lin Wantang that you found a medical team for her and contacted the hospital with the best facilities. Tell her to sign the transfer agreement.”

“Since you have such a good relationship with her, she will definitely agree.”

Wen Zhiqing’s voice was slightly off-key, as if she were squeezing out every word through gritted teeth.

“Sounds a lot like a familiar fairy tale. Wen Zhiqing, this doesn’t sound like your style.”

Qi Yishu was slightly taken aback, but she closed her laptop fairly calmly and began to listen seriously.

Wen Zhiqing’s decision didn’t make Qi Yishu happy. On the contrary, she irritably pulled out a cigarette, stroking it with her fingertips as she tried to calm herself.

“Tomorrow morning,” Wen Zhiqing said, clutching her chest because it still ached. “I’ll go with you tomorrow morning. I’ll wait for you outside the door.”

“After the surgery, I hope you can tell her the truth.”

By the time she reached the end, she added that sentence without much hope.

Qi Yishu frowned: “I haven’t agreed to help you yet.”

Wen Zhiqing was stunned. This was a situation with only benefits and no harm for Qi Yishu, yet she was still acting as if it were a difficult choice.

This woman was taking an inch and wanting a mile!

But for the moment, she had no other way. Ultimately, she was the one asking Qi Yishu for help; the initiative was in Qi Yishu’s hands.

Wen Zhiqing continued to make concessions: “It’s fine if you don’t tell the truth; it’s up to you. Just get her to agree to the transfer tomorrow.”

As she spoke, her teeth began to grind together with a faint sound.

“Zhiqing, it’s not because of that,” Qi Yishu sighed. “If the junior’s surgery goes smoothly, I will of course tell her the truth.”

She just felt a bit guilty—not toward Wen Zhiqing, of course, but toward her junior.

If she agreed to do this, it meant she would have to lie to her junior again, something she truly didn’t want to do.

But rationally, she knew very well that after Wen Zhiqing had made such a mess of everything, this was already the best remedial measure.

She really did have a reason that could persuade Lin Wantang to transfer.

However, once the surgery was over, she didn’t know how she would explain to her junior that she had conspired with Wen Zhiqing to deceive her. At that time, perhaps the junior would be disappointed in her too.

But the night was long; one had to take the first step before thinking about what came after.

“Forget it, I agree.”

Qi Yishu ultimately didn’t light the cigarette, quickly tossing the slender stick back onto the table. She watched as it rolled a few times before finally stopping.

“Wen Zhiqing, you really deserve this.”